Through the lens of Wallpaper* contributor Louise Hagger
‘Through the lens’ is our monthly series that throws the spotlight on emerging photographers who are Wallpaper* contributors. Every month one photographer is commissioned to capture the upfront Newspaper section – an artist’s residency in print form – here we explore their vision further.
With an award-winning specialism in food and drink still life photography, Louise Hagger was the natural fit to capture the latest in our Artist’s Palate series from American artist, Robert Longo. The London-based photographer has travelled the globe for editorial, commercial and personal projects. Of particular note, is her self-published ‘A Carp in the Tub’ series, a collaboration with food stylist Victoria Granof and prop stylist JoJo Li. Through words, pictures and recipes, it tells the weird and wonderful story of Granof's winter-long journey to adopt her infant son in Ukraine, using food to anchor a sense of belonging, identity and home.
Wallpaper*: Describe your style of work and process.
Lousie Hagger: Telling the stories behind food imagery within domestic scenes and around food memories is what really interests me. This approach is creative and often colourful, making impactful images that look delicious. An idea can stem from anywhere, usually sharing the references that I’m excited about with someone I would be curious to collaborate with. Then we refine ideas with notes of what we’re thinking and meet to discuss and develop it further so that we are aligned in what we’re trying to achieve before the shoot. My regular collaborators have become friends and so we work very intuitively together. That’s the perfect kind of shoot when each creative is working in perfect synergy to create the work. You can feel the energy, working harmoniously to elevate one another’s work.
W*: Tell us how you brought your way of working to Artist’s Palate.
LH: I love shooting recipes that have a narrative behind them, so the Artist's Palate was a perfect fit. I worked alongside food stylist Liam Baker, and Wallpaper’s art and interiors team, using graphic colour and texture to reflect artist Robert Longo’s style. Keeping a focus on the dish itself was also essential to us creating a delicious and thought-provoking image.
RELATED STORY
W*: What’s the most valuable thing photography has taught you?
LH: How to express myself, and that photographs can connect you emotionally to someone even when you don’t share the same language or background; you can share a powerful collective experience or memory from looking at a photograph.
W*: What do you think is the most interesting thing happening within photography now?
LH: How we share images and communicate with one another. I love how someone I don’t know can reach out from anywhere around the globe and share an image that can connect you both and start a conversation.
W*: What’s on your radar?
LH: I get excited by colour and texture in everyday surroundings. How food is contained and displayed, in plastic bags, jars, tins, on trays, in windows, market stalls, and particularly plastic food packaging – how it is arranged within a space, packaged and displayed. Food and veg stalls, especially in Japan and Paris are great for this. The way the food is elevated onto wooden plinths or perfectly wrapped reminds me of food shrines in Asian cultures from family holidays and travelling. It ties in with continuing a project, 'The Rituals of Nourishment', which is published in The Photographers’ Gallery journal, Loose Associations and also explores dining settings and food memories.
W*: What’s next for you this decade?
LH: I would like to do more work globally, shoot more books, travel and have a book published of my food annual A Year in Food which is a retrospective of my personal collaborations and commissions. Also, I want to exhibit more of my personal work, explore moving image further and to keep developing as an artist.
INFORMATION
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition taps into the brand's creative followers
The unconventional features of Nothing Phone (2a)’s new limited edition come from a community-driven project to reshape the style and ethos of the smartphone
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
What is the sound of Stone Island? A new musical project helps you find out
Stone Island Sound is a new, evolving music project from the Italian label, seeing contributions from John Glacier, Yaeji and more across playlists and live performances
By Jack Moss Published
-
Brew were always on my mind: Pet Shop Boys release new tea set
As part of a new line of merchandise marking 40 years of Pet Shop Boys, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe celebrate the humble cuppa
By Charlotte Gunn Published
-
Doc'n Roll Film Festival makes its loud return to the UK
The 11th edition of the Doc'n Roll Film Festival celebrates music, culture and cinema from around the world
By Smilian Cibic Published
-
Preview the Jameel Prize exhibition, coming to London's V&A, with a focus on moving image and digital media
The winner of the V&A and Art Jameel’s seventh international award for contemporary art and design inspired by Islamic tradition will be showcased alongside shortlisted artists
By Smilian Cibic Published
-
Genesis Belanger is seduced by the real and the fake in London
Sculptor Genesis Belanger’s solo show, ‘In the Right Conditions We Are Indistinguishable’, is open at Pace, London
By Emily Steer Published
-
Francis Bacon at the National Portrait Gallery is an emotional tour de force
‘Francis Bacon: Human Presence’ at the National Portrait Gallery in London puts the spotlight on Bacon's portraiture
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Frieze Sculpture takes over Regent’s Park
Twenty-two international artists turn the English gardens into a dream-like landscape and remind us of our inextricable connection to the natural world
By Smilian Cibic Published
-
Meet Oluwole Omofemi and Bayo Akande, the founders creating a new art community
Oluwole Omofemi and Bayo Akande, are behind Piece Unique, an artist agency that guides and future-proofs emerging artists’ careers
By Mazzi Odu Published
-
Don’t miss these artists at 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2024
As the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair returns to London (10-13 October 2024), here are the artists to see
By Gameli Hamelo Published
-
Es Devlin’s large-scale choral installation celebrates London’s displaced population
Es Devlin has partnered with UK for UNHCR on a free and open-to-all exhibition, ‘Congregation’, in London from 3-9 October 2024
By Hannah Silver Published